[ES_JOBS_NET] Vegetation modeling postdoc position at Los Alamos National Laboratory

[Xu, Chonggang]

The Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking applications from diverse postdoctoral candidates with expertise in modeling vegetation dynamics under various environmental conditions (e.g., coastal, temperate, tropics and arctic) for Fall 2019. The successful candidate will improve the current state-of-the-art dynamic vegetation model, the DOE-sponsored Functionally Assembled Terrestrial Simulator (FATES), to better represent vegetation responses to water/salinity stress and the interactions between vegetation and natural disturbances such as fire, sea level rise and insects; parameterize and evaluate the model with observations from field or remote sensing; and test hypotheses related to vegetation responses to changes in future environmental conditions. The successful candidate will work within a multi-disciplinary team of plant physiologists, ecologists, hydrologists, geomorphologists and applied mathematicians from LANL and other national laboratories. Applications will be reviewed as received.



Job Requirements

Minimum Job Requirements



*       Demonstrated experience in using models to predict and understand vegetation dynamics under different environmental conditions.

*       Proven quantitative analysis skills with experience in one or more of the following programing and analysis languages: Fortran, Python, C, Matlab and R)

*       Proven ability to work in a highly collaborative team setting

Desired Skills:


*       Demonstrated diverse research experience with a preference for individuals with experience and knowledge of Earth System modeling.

*       Demonstrated experience of the analysis and incorporation of data and observations for model development and testing.

*       Demonstrated experience of model development

*       Demonstrated experience on high performance computing

*       Demonstrated scientific excellence as evidenced by submission and publication of authored publications in refereed journals.

Education:  A Ph.D. in ecology, environmental science, and Earth System Modeling or a closely related field.  The candidate must have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of the appointment and be within 5 years of completion of the Ph.D.


How to apply:
In addition to applying online(https://lanl.jobs/, search for position IRC73345), please send a curriculum vitae, digitized copies of transcripts, names of three references, and a one-page cover letter detailing qualifications, research interests, and a proposed research topic to Chonggang Xu (cxu at lanl.gov) and Joel Rowland (jrowland at lanl.gov). Please include "Vegetation Modeling Postdoc Search" in the email subject line. Applications will be reviewed as received. The expected start date is between Sep 2019-Jan 2020 but is flexible depending on candidate's time schedule.

Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship and outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, or J. Robert Oppenheimer. For general information related to the Postdoc Program, salary and benefits go to: http://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php


Overview:  This two year postdoc position is in the Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) Division at LANL working to improve predictions of vegetation dynamics under future environmental condition changes. In the EES division, we combine our capabilities in field and laboratory measurements with analysis and modeling on high-performance computers to understand and predict environment systems (e.g., reveal climate change drivers and ecosystem impacts, model and predict subsurface movement, and predict wildland and urban fires). This postdoctoral position will focus on the predictive understanding of the vegetation dynamics in the coastal, tropical and arctic regions. This postdoctoral position will require the candidate to integrate and communicate with other field ecologists and modelers within LANL and across different national labs, and aid in uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis of models and model outputs.

We Are Delivering Scientific Excellence
Los Alamos National Laboratory is more than a place to work (www.lanl.gov/careers). It is a catalyst for discovery, innovation and achievement. It's one of the reasons we attract world-class talent who contribute greatly to our outstanding culture. Professional development, work/life balance and a diverse and inclusive team foster lasting career satisfaction. Our on-site cafeterias and medical, fitness and breastfeeding facilities, education assistance and generous compensation and benefits reflect our commitment to providing our people with all they need for personal and professional growth.


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Chonggang Xu
Staff Scientist
Earth and Environmental Sciences Division
Los Alamos National Laboratory, NM
Phone: 505-665-9773
Email: cxu at lanl.gov<mailto:cxu at lanl.gov>
Web: https://sites.google.com/site/lanlveg/home

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